Top 10 Tourist Spots in the Philippines: Luzon Island

The Philippines has a total of 7,641 islands but you don’t need to ride a plane to reach some of the best islands when arriving from NAIA in Manila. Manila is the capital city of our country and it is the center of Luzon island, home to many beautiful tourist spots in the Philippines.

So to help you plan your vacation and choose which provinces to visit near Metro Manila, here are our top 10 tourist destination in Luzon:

Zambales

Zambales is one of the closest tourist destinations near Manila and is known for its beaches, resorts and historical sites. It is actually one of the provinces where many foreigners have decided to settle so its very tourist-friendly. Especially when you visit Subic where hotels are relatively cheap, restaurants with affordable prices and casinos.

If you are looking for a place to relax and unwind, Bataan is a province that you should check out. It is known for its historical sites, scenic views, sandy beaches, and the famous open-air museum Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. You can reach the province by car or through a one-hour ride ferry. In this way, you can explore the province for a day and come back to Manila before the day ends.

If you are looking for a cooler place to visit, Benquet is an ideal place to explore. It’s actually the home of the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio, particularly for locals who want to escape the heat of the summer. It is known for its breathtaking views, countless coffee shops, locally made coffee beans, mountain exploring, strawberry farms and of course the smell of pine trees.

Batangas

If you are looking for another beach vacation spot, you should also try to visit Batangas. It is known for its perfect summer weather, almost all-year round, and beaches with many water activities such as diving and snorkeling. This includes Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Sampaquita Beach in Bauan, Laiya, and Calatagan in San Juan, Anila in Mabini, and Matabungkay in Lian. And while you’re in there, don’t forget to drop by Fantasy Island, probably the best theme park the Philippines almost had.

Isabela

Isabela is not only the largest province in the whole country but also the biggest in the Luzon island. It features white sandy beaches including the coastal municipalities of Dinapique, Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan and other islands on the coast of the province. It’s also an ideal province for visita iglesia with its numerous historical churches. This includes San Pablo Church, Parish Church of St. Mathias, Saint Rose of Lima Church and so much more.

Another province that features different beaches is Aurora including the famous Baler that’s featured in numerous movies. Some of our favorites include Dicasalarin Cove, Diguisit Beach, Dimadimalangat Islet, and the Ditumabo Mother Falls. Most of their beaches are known for its soft white sand untouched by civilization.

La Union

Travel Time: 4 Hours

If surfing is your game then La Union is your place. It is called the surfing capital of North Luzon for its many surfing destinations like Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan, Taboc, Bacnotan, and Jesus Point where its peak season is during the month of October to March.

Next on our list is Batanes that is known for its spectacular view, cows freely roaming the lush greens and cobblestone-walled houses that’s not like any place in the country. However, although it is situated on Luzon island, it will require a plane ride to reach Batanes. In addition, public transportation is not easy in the province so make sure you rent a car or bring a bike to get around the place.

The travel time to Ilocos is not short but the journey is all worth it once you reach its destination. Our favorite tourist spots are its majestic churches, local dishes and the epic adventure experience at the Sand Dunes. Yes, Ilocos has their own Sand Dunes where you can try sand boarding, 4×4 rough riding and so much more.